Aloha

Cameron Crowe movies are a little complex, but if you are willing to put in the work, they are usually worth the effort. “Aloha” (2015) is the latest example. You’ve basically got a love triangle romantic comedy with Bradley Cooper, Rachel McAdams and Emma Stone. Everybody could have phoned it in and filmgoers wouldn’t have minded. Instead, Crowe weaves a rich story full of interesting supporting characters, and the music is (as usual) spot on. Stone is delightfully committed to the role of a frighteningly committed fighter pilot. Bonus: The climax includes a Gamecock football highlight with Mike Hold (not pictured).

“The Waterboy” (1998) is one of Adam Sandler’s better movies (I know to some of you, that’s damning him with faint praise). It’s funny, it has a plot and there’s some nicely drawn characters. The music’s even good. It also doesn’t have the underlying nastiness that a lot of recent comedies have. Jerry Reed is uncanny as a Bobby Bowdenesque coach. Also, waterboy-turned-linebacker Sandler leads his team to a victory over Clemson University (always a plus). And one of the opposing quarterbacks is played by Mike Hold, a hero of the University of South Carolina’s legendary 1984 season (bigger plus).